That Scottish Play

That Scottish Play

SRT & Lind Lane Theatre

Lind Lane Theatre

27^th April – 4^th May

Have you ever been involved in community theatre? We used to call it “amateur” theatre but that term has become more closely associated with poor quality performances and megalomania than with its original meaning, which is “to love” (from the Latin verb, amo). The term, “community theatre”, seems to have a friendlier tone to it. But that tone can be deceptive!

Simon Denver’s That Scottish Play features a talented and, one suspects, largely undiagnosed cast of Sunshine Coast actors sending up Sunshine Coast actors. It reveals the machinations of a community theatre group in the imagined Sunshine Coast town of Widgee. It could be Nambour. It could be anywhere. We recognise the characters and their quirks, we laugh out loud at their ridiculous antics and we loathe the egos that can’t help but surface under the little theatre’s spotlight. Names are named and every local theatre company is fair game! No one and nothing is safe from Denver’s pen!

That Scottish Play has been taken out of the vault and prepared for a strictly limited season at Lind Lane Theatre in just a few weeks. It’s like (Louis Nowra’s) Cosi on ice, though not the family-friendly Disney version you’re thinking of. More like the unfriendly, politically incorrect, if-only-there-were-ice-in-Africa, chaotic kind of Cosi on Ice. It’s an extremely talented ensemble – Denver says they are “from the deeper end of the talent pool” – and one of them, Sam Coward, who plays the guy who plays Macbeth, Nathan Gayelord, says, “I never read the script. It was a guideline.” This is typical from someone who has worked with Denver before. Many of the members of this extended company (let’s call it +SRT) have had that privilege and a few have not. Let’s hope they are brave enough to take up the mantle again because this cast is a joy to watch. They are each experienced enough and confident enough to just play. This play requires the notion of play to be unleashed – as Director, this is Denver’s specialty – and we can see that they’re having fun! It’s certainly the best parody we’ve seen and the local references are obvious enough to have audience members blushing in their seats, loving every minute of it!

The “problem” with such a localised and personalised parody is that those who are slightly outside of the teensy weensy world of local theatre don’t get it. This may need to be a consideration in future, in order to attract the desired ticket sales. I watched with interest on opening night, a party of elderly, typically Lind Lane Theatre patrons and they were in turns, bemused, horrified, terrified, nonplussed and not amused. I was in fact waiting for one of them to say at the end, “We are not amused.” Perhaps they thought they were coming to see Shakespeare’s Macbeth?!

Well, of course if you read the publicity or Google Mr Denver’s works, you’ll realise that this is not Macbeth but a basic tale of typical amateur over-the-top theatrics. The Lower Widgee Amateur Drama Group prepare to stage a production of Macbeth…with all the actual and boring Macbeth bits taken out of it! Early in the rehearsal process, the show becomes a musical (because what’s the biggest bums-on-seats show an amateur theatre company can pull off in a year? A musical!), allowing us to enjoy ridiculous musical theatre performances (think Forbidden Broadway) from the likes of Chris Surplice (who has come up from Sydney to play) and Sam Coward, who hasn’t been heard to sing, except in the car and in the theatre when bored or making a point as Director, since he played Javert in an impressive little production of Les Miserables in Mt Isa (not so impressive were the brows back then, mine, not Sam’s; his are fine. Thank goodness I’ve been threaded since then!).

Well-known, well-loved performers from right across the coast join these pillars of performance power and strength on stage. Joy Marshall as Penelope Ascot is a standout. She limps and she lisps and whenever The Trophy or The Awards are mentioned, she twitches. Hers is a hilarious performance and it is well balanced by Brett Klease’s, as the professional director, Simon, from Brisbane, who comes in on the wings of a successful grant application and won’t be directing anything much in the end (and won’t be allowed to leave)! Surplice, as Nigel Chandler, has a few nice little moments, particularly in the plotting, scheming scenes, when we get a glimpse at how far the bitchiness backstage can go. Howie Tampling gives us some good belly laughs, as the guy with Tourette’s and Errol Morrison is the perfect small country town mayor and the hapless husband of the overly-ambitious Penelope.

Individual characters are made very clear and some of the mimicry is too close to be believed. Yikes! But even the audience members who are at the brunt of the jokes appear pleased! Phew! MD Darren Heskes provides an amusing, well-synched underscore throughout, referencing all the major musicals. His work helps to move more swiftly some of the scenes that threaten to lag. This is exemplified in Nigel’s scheming scene, in which he plots with Penelope to kill the (university trained) “real” actors, underscored by a few bars from Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. The actors could very easily have sung, “We need him crucified, it’s all you have to do…”

This production is a first for the Sunshine Coast. It parodies the best-known members of each theatre company in a ruthless and rather daring manner and yet leaves only a few offended (the collateral damage). It seems the writing is witty enough and the pace fast enough for this motley company to get away with all manner of sins! The combined talents on stage and off indicate that there is a distinct lack of entertainment like this – for actors and audience to get their teeth into – and the results indicate that there should be more of it. If Denver can pen a play like this in a couple of hours (and re-write it during rehearsals) and another, his latest, in less than an hour (So, Where Is It? was originally a one act play and was whittled down to just 10 minutes, winning the Gold Coast and Brisbane Short + Sweet Awards and taking out 3^rd place in the national competition in Sydney this year), then he should be producing something new at least twice a year! There is talent to perform the work and audiences craving to see it. Let’s have more like this, please.

Final performances: tonight (Friday) and tomorrow night (Saturday) at 8pm & final matinee tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm at Lind Lane Theatre

Book online or call 07 5441 1814

 

An audience member offered this feedback:

 

Last evening, Wednesday 3 May 2012, my partner and I with a couple of friends attended the production of “That Scottish Play”. Now we would like to take this opportunity in thanking every actor in this production plus all of the theatre crew for one of the most enjoyable theatre experiences of Lind Lane (although we also did enjoy the 3 Act plays performed last year by the theatre.)

 

We all found the play, or was it really a musical in disguise, we still aren’t too sure, totally entertaining and extremely funny and terribly well crafted and acted. Congratulations to all for a great night’s entertainment and may we expect more of the same in the future? we do hope so.

 

Simon Denver’s writings are truly of an international standard and he certainly knows just how to bring out the ‘best’ in his players.

 

We wish the cast and writer/director all the very best and again, thank you so much for such a most memorable evening of true comic theatre.

 

Bravo!

 

Mr Paolo-Andrea L.G. Roberto-Preston

Eudlo

on audiences

Source: The Guardian

Mum and Dad came to see the show last night. That’s right. On Good Friday. There was no bar due to licensing laws. So it was a very quiet audience. I told them after the show that they were a very quiet audience. I joked that they could have done with a drink before the show because, at first, we weren’t even sure they were out there.

Travelling North is not a comedy but we were beginning to get used to quite a few laughs since the preview on Monday night. David Williamson’s writing is witty and the characters are funny because we recognise them (and their flaws). Without being a comedy it can be quite a comical play.

My parents don’t usually see my shows because they typically book international flights during the week leading up to opening night. I know. I know how it looks. I’m sure it’s not a calculated gesture, it’s just a terrible error, which has, admittedly, happened several times. They once flew out of the country the day before opening night and returned to drive back to the coast from Brisbane International, only just catching the closing night of La Ronde in Mooloolaba (I miss doing a show in a shop! Nathanael Cooper missed it too so that link is his review of Erotique, which you’ll see is happening again NEXT)! This indicates that they don’t always mean to double-book. Or that they finally felt bad enough to make sure they got there.

Their feedback after the show last night? All positive. They enjoyed the lighter moments that came from the daughters’ involvement/interference (Andree, Julia and I). Remember, we didn’t have drinks so any criticism will come up at a later date, I’m sure! Mum’s comment was that the whole thing was “a little too close to the bone.” She was clearly affected. My grandparents in Toowoomba both have their problems at the moment and she and her sister have taken turns to care for them, particularly for my grandpa, for years. As is always the case in a Williamson, the reality of the situation hits home pretty hard if you’ve been there yourself. Of course, every single person in that audience will have had a different response to the story. Each audience is unique, in their reactions and in what they take away from the experience. They’ve all come from right out of their own stories and into the theatre having had a good, bad, great or indifferent day. And they must all go home to their own stories. In between, there is a little bit of magic that we can offer. I love when an audience surrenders to the magic. You can hear it, feel it; that moment when most of them have let go and melted into our world, happily (or even reluctantly) leaving theirs behind for a little while. That’s when, backstage, we look at each other and smile: “Got ‘em!” (I’ve noticed, at Noosa Arts Theatre, the FOH volunteers really do look after their audience too. It’s all part of the experience, part of the magic).

Keep an eye out here for Mel White’s review of our production of Travelling North. I haven’t spoken with her. I don’t know what she thought of the show. I guess we’ll see. However, you’re unlikely to see any more arts space in the local rag (I was bemused to see a Bundaberg story in there today, despite them knowing that our boys won third place at the Sydney Short + Sweet Finals) and now that The Weekender is gone, you’re just going to have to get online more often to find out what’s happening at your local theatres. Follow this blog, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook and check out livetheatre.com.au to keep up with Sunshine Coast theatre. Don’t miss any of the magic!

Due to demand, an extra performance of Travelling North has been scheduled for

Wednesday April 18th.

world theatre day 2012

Happy World Theatre Day! 

World Theatre Day Message 2012 from Jake Witlen on Vimeo.

I remember reading a post by Travis Bedard about Why World Theatre Day.

“World Theatre Day isn’t about creating a global theatre experience. It’s about celebrating the local theatre experience globally. World Theatre Day is an acknowledgement that we are all doing this thing that we love.

And the internet allows us to share those local celebrations and revel in the fact that we’re not alone in our pursuit, and that no matter how many times they try to prove it to us mathematically, theatre is not dead.”  

Travis Bedard 2009

N.B. The bold is mine, not Bedard’s, just in case you were trying to skim over the contextualising quote.

With that in mind, I thought it pertinent to share with you, Sam’s President’s Report, which he read at the Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance AGM on Monday night. Please feel welcome to leave us your feedback about the Alliance, Sunshine Coast theatre in general or to comment on World Theatre Day events in your area. And remember, if you’d like your production reviewed, or if you need some support by way of consultation or a workshop or a visit from one of us, during any part of the pre-production or rehearsal process, send a request or an invite at least 3 weeks out, to xsentertainme@gmail.com

President’s Report

With a relatively slow start to the year I am pleased to report that 2011 ended with a bang, the Festival was a great success and the separation of the Youth and Open sections went as smoothly as could be hoped; laying a stable foundation to continue growing both sections. Thanks to the Festival Committee (John B, Jacqui Mata Luque, Julia, Synda and Stephen).

The livetheatre.com.au website has seen significant growth in the past 12 months and is truly the number one source of theatre related information locally. We have plans to upgrade the website in 2012 and hope to continue its exposure and usage. Thanks must go to Synda for her tireless efforts in managing the site, mailing list, directories and any other design/print jobs that pop up, which Synda takes in her stride and always makes us look good.

The 2011 committee also saw the inauguration of the Season Launch Soiree, a great night and the first time in a long time we have had the community together, under one roof. It was a good start; far from perfect but again sets a platform on which we can improve in future years. Huge thanks must go to the enigmatic Julia Loaney for her amazing Event Coordination of this event.

Most notably the 2011 committee voted to include any and all performing arts related entities into the Alliance, albeit with different levels of membership. This marks a significant milestone in the Alliances history and now will truly align all theatre groups, choirs, dance groups and the like, to share resources and form a stronger community for us all. Whilst the details of this change in constitution have yet to be ratified the sentiment and unanimous vote has ensured its go-ahead.

My main aim for 2011 was to raise the profile of theatre on the Coast, and whilst I am happy that we have gone some way to achieve this, I still feel the bulk of this task lies ahead. We need to show Sunshine Coasters that a weekly serve of culture can be found on local stages and not just in their yoghurt. We collectively need to shout out our success stories and demand a greater presence with the local media.

For many members 2011/12 has been a difficult year, with volunteer numbers dwindling, directors almost non-existent and companies struggling to recruit new members for both on and off stage duties. These challenges, coupled with shrinking audience numbers, means we all have a responsibility to find a remedy and together support and nurture the way forward.

To this end, I now ask anyone who reads this to consider the need, validity and value of “the Alliance” what does your group get out of it? What do you get out of it? Is what you get out of it worth what you put in?

I can see the need for collective representation, but to whom and for what? It hasn’t done us much good with the media, really. We haven’t secured any grants on behalf of anyone (this is a full-time job, even in the pro-am companies) and we have really only gone some part in achieving the set objectives as per our constitution.

The Festival would run without us – the keen would ensure it – the advertising discount would be maintained by the media houses, under the Alliance umbrella or not, the biggy would be the web site and directories; which could be maintained commercially if so desired.

So, again I ask: need, validity, value?

I personally have answers to these three questions, but do you? Does your theatre?

The commitment might only be 12 nights per year, but they are 12 nights we could better spend elsewhere if our efforts go unsupported or appreciated. I will continue my mission of raising our industry’s local profile whether or not I be involved with “the Alliance”……

I intend to stand again for re-election for 2012/13 but in doing so, I seek a mandate from those delegates who would like to see us become more active, which means becoming less bogged down in protocol at meetings and genuinely focussed on improving the standard, audiences, network and profile of all Sunshine Coast Performing Arts pursuits.

Thank you to all 2011/12 Delegates for your service and I hope that together we can effect some positive change, as the same ol’ same ol’ just aint’ good enough.

Regards,

Sam Coward

Image by Blueprint Studios

flying feathers

Flying Feathers

Coolum Theatre Players

Coolum Civic Centre 

23^rd March – 1^st April

Richard Kent (Roger Featherstone) surrounded by Mrs Winthrop's girls: Claire Sawyer (Sally), Chris McMahon (Jackie), Jesse Hana Ellison (Polly) and in front, Kathryn Rose (Debbie)

 

I love going to a Coolum Theatre Players’ show. The Coolum Civic Centre is not the greatest venue (the sound disappears pretty quickly into its cavernous belly) and I often forget to take drinks and tapas (damn!) but we always get a warm welcome and more and more often, we’re getting a great, fun show. Friday night was no exception. President, Julia (lovely is her middle name) Loaney, greeted us and showed us to our seats and we enjoyed a fast-paced British farce, Flying Feathers, featuring a few familiar faces and a couple of new ones.

 

Jesse Hana Ellison (Polly)

 

 

Claire Sawyer (Sally)

 

Pretty tightly written, by Derek Benfield, with a typical, farcical twist, Flying Feathers is a short, funny show for everyone (well, perhaps not for your youngest, being set in a “house of sin”). Well-respected local Director, Nancy Kinmond, has obviously had fun with this one, which meant that we did too.

The problems associated with solving multiple mistaken identities provide the amusing premise, with plenty of sexy costumes, postures and innuendo thrown in. In typically ridiculously hilarious fashion, somebody, little orphan Annie style, escapes the crazy house in a laundry basket, somebody comes back to life in the laundry basket, and somebody nicks off with a bottle of whiskey to the relative safety of a cupboard instead of into the laundry basket!

Tania Nash (Mrs Winthrop) provides much of the pace behind the action in Act 1 and, with so much to set up; this can only improve during the short run. Improving pace means getting on top of those cues, guys! You know who you are! I know Nancy has drilled you. Now you need to drill it some more! What Act 1 lacked in pace, it made up for in energy and total commitment to the tale. What a pleasure to see a true team effort, performers supporting each other in their roles and working hard together to make the jokes work. The partnership between Chris McMahon and Claire Sawyer is testament to this. Carla Edgar (Sarah) and Sean Bennet (Henry/Bernard) also showed us how easy it can be to support each other on stage rather than compete for the spotlight. There are other companies who can learn a lot from seeing this production. Go together, book a table, TYO (take your own) drinks and nibbles and talk after the show. Just like the old days. If you don’t enjoy this show you can talk after the show about how wrong I was!

I love seeing Jesse Ellison give a stronger and slicker performance in each production. I love seeing Sean Bennett make more confident choices in his roles and I love seeing Dennis Coleman in a role, finally, in which he is perfectly cast. This is a strong cast overall, with obvious mentors taking the newer ensemble members through their paces. This is what I like to see. This is how it should be. This is what community theatre is all about and it wouldn’t happen without somebody wonderful at the helm. Congratulations to Nancy and Coolum Theatre Players. Once again, you’ve excelled. May you have full houses and heaps of fun!

 

Tania Nash (Mrs Winthrop)

Photos courtesy Neil Dearberg www.lifetimelifestyle.com

Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance Inaugural Soiree

It happened! It happened last Saturday actually, and we’ve been flat out since then so here it is, a little late; a little wrap up of the Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance’s Inaugural Season Launch and Soiree.

Wendy's Flowers and Event Hire www.wendysflowers.com.au

The evening was a great success. Hailing the beginning of a new era in local theatre, invited guests and media were offered a sneak peak at what’s coming up on our Sunshine Coast stages at the Season Launch and Soiree, hosted by Rosanna Natoli of Seven Sunshine Coast News, at the Buderim Tavern. The event successfully brought together rival theatre groups from across the Sunshine Coast, for the first time since the defunct STA (STAR) Awards, to celebrate in style and to launch their 2012 season programs for an audience of media representatives and special guests, including Style Director for the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival, Zoe Champion and Members of Parliament, Fiona Simpson and Steve Dickson.

Rosanna Natoli, Sam Coward, Steve Dickson. Image by Anjie Greve.

Sam Coward, President of the Alliance, praised the initiative and hard work of the Alliance in “raising standards”, for hosting the Soiree and for continuously raising the profile of theatre as the first choice in local entertainment. Sam challenged members to get along to each other’s shows this year, which include Coolum Theatre Players’ Flying Feathers, Lind Lane’s A Bad Year For Tomatoes and That Scottish Play, Caloundra’s Sherlock Holmes and Noosa Arts Theatre’s production of David Williamson’s (George Negus speaks to David here) heartwarming play about a twilight love affair, Travelling North, directed by guest director, Steven Tandy (read Kate Foy’s fascinating interview with Steven here).

“Such is the magic of theatre where the audience witnesses the wonderful creative cocktail that has brought everyone together, to share their talents and wholly entertain,” said Sam.

In the past 12 months, some 50 productions have been staged by Alliance member groups, equating to more than 500 performances with attendances exceeding 50 000, equating to a conservative one million dollars being injected into the local economy. In return, the theatre companies are giving local and visiting audiences affordable entertainment; something for everyone, from musicals, dramas, comedies, one-act plays, pantomimes, workshops and the presentation of the finalists in two playwriting competitions.

Zoe Champion & Sam Coward. Image by Anjie Greve.

Zoe Champion, Style Director for the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival, deemed local actress, Marilyn Davies Best Dressed and “the epitome of elegance and style.” Marilyn was presented with tickets and limousine transfers to The Escapist’s award-winning production of boy girl wall, starring Helpman Award nominated Brisbane actor, Lucas Stibbard, at Nambour Civic Centre in June.

Marilyn Davies (Best Dressed) & Patricia Waterson. Image by Anjie Greve.

A great success and the beginning of a new era for Sunshine Coast theatre, the inaugural Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance Soiree, brought together the theatre makers and theatre lovers of the Sunshine Coast, for an evening of celebration without the usual competition.

Carly Partridge & Alli Pope. Image by Anjie Greve.

Luke & Melissa Lanham. Image by Anjie Greve.

Susan Dearnley, Jennifer Rousset, Evie Somerville. Image by Ajie Greve.

Angel Goulter & Xanthe Coward. Image by Anjie Greve.

Taking mental notes for next year's event. Image by Anjie Greve.

For copies of images taken by Anjie Greve or to book her for your event, contact

Clever Girl Photography 0421 365 705

For further details about local productions month by month, pick up the Sunshine Coast Theatre Directory from a foyer, a café or a library near you or take a look at the website http://www.livetheatre.com.au

To Award or not to Award?

That is, and will always be, the question.

Check out, if you haven’t already, Augusta Supple’s blog at augustasupple.com because she is a talented, insightful, emotive writer and reviewer after my own heart, telling it as it is. Most recently, Augusta has blogged about boycotting the Sydney Theatre Awards, which is no small protest from somebody who is a respected authority on Sydney theatre and theatre-making generally. Put it this way: Gus knows her stuff. If she is of the opinion that vital work was overlooked, I’m prepared to take her word for it.

The same week, I received my print copy of Stage Whispers

(I’m a bit old school when it comes to subscriptions)

I noted, with interest, that in his editorial, Neil Litchfield bemoans the fact that Sydney community theatre has no special social event for its theatre-makers – no awards, no dinner, no party it seems – as the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria does in its celebrated Bruce Awards.

“I can only wish we had a similar community musical theatre night-of-nights, not so much for the awards, as for the fabulous performing showcase, and the immense sense of the performing community coming together in the foyer before and after the packed house ceremony. I felt a great nostalgia for Sydney’s lost tradition of Combined Musical Society Balls.” Neil Litchfield

Here here!

On the Sunshine Coast we have been missing, for a long time, as well as our unbiased reviewer, a number of those other elements that bring together a theatrical community: combined company productions, Saturday mornings spent at whichever theatre has a set requiring painting, fittings at Nancy’s house, living room play readings, piano parties and that strange affair known as the Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance STAR Awards. Well, some of us have not missed the STAR Awards at all but instead, since its demise some years ago, have decided to replace the entire event with a SOIREE, without the pressure, mess and aftermath of an awards system that left most dissatisfied (and too many falsely confident in their abilities), rather than simply delighted to have had the opportunity to catch up with like-minded friends in a swanky setting over a few fancy drinks.

I attended what must have been one of the last ever STAR Awards evenings. I was pregnant. I was not drinking. I was bemused and dismayed that very little mingling and networking happened and instead, a lot of gossip happened, prior to the event, during the night and well and truly after the evening had finished! Those who had been recognised and given awards tended to grin and gloat and those who were overlooked were needlessly devastated. Of course I’m over-generalising (I’m sure there have been some who have themselves wondered at the award they’ve received!) after all, let’s not forget that I was sober! I’m sure it was all good originally,

Way back in the days when the grass was still green

and the pond was still wet

and the clouds were still clean,

and the song of the Swomee-Swans rang out in space…

Suffice to say, towards the end, the awards night was just not achieving one of its main goals: to bring together in celebration, the theatrical community on the Sunshine Coast. (The STA’s major goal has always been to promote live theatre across the Sunshine Coast and this is something that is done superbly, via some terrific print and radio media partners, social media and livetheatre.com.au).

This year, the Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance, with Sam Coward at its helm, has decided to celebrate our involvement in local theatre without the awards. The evening, in February, is an opportunity to celebrate freely, without the competitive element. Sam says, “Take away the competition and we are left with a fun, friendly night of celebration and an opportunity to launch every theatre company’s 2012 season.” Sounds good to me. Thanks to the work of the committee members, we will enjoy drinks, canapes, media, mingling, networking, catching up with friends and performances from some of the theatre companies. Next year, we hope to see performances from ALL of the theatre companies. this will be a major milestone in itself. Previously, only not-for-profit theatrical companies have been granted STA membership and thus, their support. In terms of advertising alone, to allow ALL companies now to join the Alliance is a complete turnaround and a big step forward for the Sunshine Coast theatre community. It was something that had always baffled me: why would those over-achieving multi-taskers among us choose NOT to make money from our art? I know. I hear you guffawing. But we try, don’t we? And for those of us who make the effort to capitalise on what we’re doing, there is now a little bit more support locally than there was before.

Now. What to wear? The dress code is Dress to Impress and the ONLY award of the night is for Best Dressed!

Ironic much?

Obviously then, when reporting back to you, I shall have a fabulous photo gallery rather than a boring list of the theatre-makers-somebody-thought-did-the-best-job-all-year-even-though-the-criteria-was-thrown-into-question-and-they-didn’t-see-everybody-else’s-efforts-and-played-favourites-anyway.

That may not be true. I can’t back that up. I’ll just post the pics of everybody looking fab, shall I?

What are your thoughts on arts’ awards?

Do you prefer a people’s choice award? If so, The Groundlings can be found at actorsgreenroom.net. Do you like your critics to deem what’s “best”? If so, you can appreciate those Sydney Theatre Award results and look forward to the Matildas. Or do you really just enjoy a genuine celebration without the competitive edge? If so, come join us at the Soiree! Only 60 tickets left! Book online here.

2012 SEASON LAUNCH SOIREE

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME BETWEEN DRINKS!

Dress to impress! Bookings (07) 5449 9343 or online

Introductory Directors’ Workshop

After a massive week hosting Todd Schroeder’s Master Classes in Brisbane (Theatre and Dance) and on the Sunshine Coast (Studio 2), on Sunday at Lind Lane Theatre, Sam ran a low-key Introductory Directors’ Workshop. The workshop was well attended and at just $10 per adult it must have been the bargain of the year! These are some notes from the day (and they are certainly not exhaustive but are clear indicators of Sam’s particular style and his approach to directing). As Director, Actor and President of the Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance, Sam plans to offer another Introductory Directors’ Workshop and one or more advanced directing courses in 2012 so keep an eye out for details about registration.

Sam acknowledges that his approach to directing is his own.

 

A Great Director encourages

 

• open minds
• like minds
• an ensemble approach
• risk-taking
• an ability to play well with others
• fun
• respect
• an attitude of working hard without making it hard work
• working towards a “win”

 

Auditions

 

• look for the ensemble – a school of fish who can swim together
• look for people you can work with… play with
• make it fun
• open up the sandbox
• open up
• let go
• what could it be?
• trust – not only the cast who the director can trust but the cast who can trust the director
• take a simple level of direction eg “everybody up on stage, thanks” … “why?”
• get to know them
• watch and listen
• if a 70 year old doesn’t turn up who do you cast. don’t cast anybody. don’t do the play. (GREAT reaction – silence – something new?)

 

Pre-Casting

 

• there is no wrong way to get the right cast for your play
• no open pre-casting eg Mark Darin in Influence
• a director has the choice. it’s the director’s call.

 

Creative Team

 

• cast your creative team wisely eg Erotique
• confer with the writer, composer etc and make the same decision – are they people (is it a play) you want to work with?
• in a musical, of course the MD must be involved in decision-making but the director has the final say.
• Communicate clearly and early with your creative team
• respect for the people you’re working with and set the boundaries
• set clear ground rules
• get the vibe right and make a sacrifice if necessary eg La Ronde

 

Planning

 

Schedule

 

• Plan from opening night backwards (like an ECG, draw a graph of the shape of the rehearsal period)
• feel the heartbeat. know where it is and how quickly it beats.
• safer show comes from good breathing time
• break for the night before opening night
• planning will inform the energy of the piece (the highs and lows)
• schedule the conversations and the first time you deal with tricky things eg nakedness in La Ronde, Erotique…

 

it’s not the ensemble and you but rather, you are  a part of the ensemble

 

respect

 

give your cast and creative team a level of freedom with which you’re comfortable. and then make sure they’re doing everything the way you want it.

 

Vision:

• read scripts
• see theatre
• own style, own process
• start somewhere.
• visualisation (tell the story in your head) “painting an idea”
• communicate your vision

 

Re-invigorate rehearsals by doing (or asking for) the unexpected

 

Every director has a different interpretation. let the seeds sow themselves.

 

if you run out of steam don’t force it. it’s not gonna happen.

 

“I will one day direct Pinter” is different to “I will one day direct Pinter’s Betrayal”

 

Find the idea, seed the idea and find a way to make it work.

 

Don’t act and direct in the same play

 

The measure of a good play?

• is it engaging?
• are the characters believable?
• whose opinion matters?
• artistically satisfying that sells tickets

 

Simon Denver says get them laughing before the curtain goes up.

 

organic process between audience and performer

 

How do you get feedback?

 

Sometimes conflict is necessary.

 

Sometimes it’s better to let it go. stop rousing and let them go for a coffee.

 

respect.

 

find a different way of communicating

 

people respond differently to different approaches. read people and work out what works. directing is largely about reading people and managing people.

 

performers are vulnerable so set high standards at rehearsal. eg quiet in the space

 

don’t keep people at rehearsal if you’re not using them. eg call them for the hour for which they are required. respect.

 

ABOUT SAM COWARD

 

As a producer, director or performer, Sam Coward has worked for the past fifteen years in the business. On both stage and screen, Sam has experienced all facets of stage production and has worked in more than a dozen Queensland venues.

In 1999 Sam produced a modern interpretation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, Jesus Christ Superstar, in a Warehouse in Warana, which at the time broke all records for attendance at a Sunshine Coast production.

Shout! The Legend of the Wild One in 2008, clearly marked Sam as a director with the potential to produce exciting creative works. In close collaboration with The Events Centre, Caloundra, Sam re-cast, re-structured and re-directed this successful major musical production in just 8 weeks. In 2010, Sam co-produced and directed his original take on Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde and re-developed it further, as Erotique, for inclusion in the Sydney Fringe Festival. Sam is about to venture into the third creative development phase for Erotique, in preparation for its 2012 season. In 2011 Sam directed David Williamson’s Influence and conceptualised an original play So? Where Is It? written by Simon Denver, which has been seen this year at the Sunshine Coast Drama Festival and at the Queensland Short + Sweet Festival, where it won the overall Short + Sweet Award for Best Play. So? Where Is It? will be seen next in Sydney in 2012.

Sam is the President of the Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance, which is “Raising Standards” and Co-Director of XS Entertainment, which aims to establish a functional network of Sunshine Coast artists and produce original theatrical productions in unconventional spaces, utilising new media and local resources.

 

BOOK NOW for The Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance’s 2012 SEASON LAUNCH SOIREE

 All theatre lovers are encouraged to come along and enjoy this social evening celebrating local theatre, rubbing shoulders with local thespians and the likes of our special guest, playwright and Senior Australian of the Year 2012, DAVID WILLIAMSON. Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival, and delicious canapes throughout the evening.

Each theatre group will have approx 5 minutes to perform/present snippets of their 2012 productions to the Media and theatre lovers.

The evening will be hosted by Channel Sevens Rosanna Natoli.

Tickets: $35 EARLY BIRD TICKET PRICE:  $30 per person.

MUST BOOK BEFORE 30th DECEMBER!

When: Saturday 11th February 2012

Where:  On the deck, at the Buderim Tavern.

Dress: to Impress! (a prize for the most impressive)

Bookings (07) 5449 9343 or online 

 

 

todd schroeder: one night only

 

THE SUNSHINE COAST THEATRE ALLIANCE

AND XS ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

TODD SCHROEDER

 

Dale Pengelly

AND THE AUDITIONING AND WORKING IN TODAY’S MUSICAL THEATRE MASTER CLASS PARTICIPANTS

Listen to songs from the new album at toddschroeder.net

 

 “His shows are master classes in the art of performance”

Cabaret West

 

Nambour Civic Centre Theatre 

Tuesday December 13^th

 

Tickets available at the door. Doors open 7:00pm for 7:30pm

 

Tickets: $10 concession, BYTE & Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance members

($15 non-members)

 

Contact XS Entertainment for more details

xsentertainme@gmail.com or 0411 015 918

Introductory Directing Workshop with Sam Coward

XS Entertainment, The Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance and Lind Lane Theatre Present:

An Introductory Director’s Workshop
with Prominent Sunshine Coast Theatre Director Sam Coward

Sam Coward, Director and Actor

Have you ever wanted to direct a show?

Have you ever wondered what makes this director tick?

Would you like to talk with other Sunshine Coast directors in a relaxed, friendly environment about your upcoming projects, dreams, frustrations and challenges?

Would you like to hear the basics from somebody who has a successful track record and invites fellow directors of all ages, experience and backgrounds to “have a go”?

Do you want to know about upcoming directing opportunities on the Sunshine Coast?

Work with one of the Sunshine Coast’s most prominent theatre directors on what it takes to conceive, create and stage a theatrical production.

- choosing or devising a theatrical work
- selecting a cast
- securing a venue
- sharing the vision
- creative development phases and flexibility
- rehearsal processes and expectations
- communicating with your cast and creative team
- attracting attention and getting the publicity machine working

+ Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance benefits and Sunshine Coast Performing Arts Industry Insider Tips, support and more!

When: Sunday December 18th 10am – 4pm

Where: Lind Lane Theatre 16 Mitchell st, Nambour

Cost: $10 (morning tea provided)

To secure your place in the workshop, email

xsentertainme@gmail.com or call 0411 015 918

As a producer, director or performer, Sam Coward has worked for the past fifteen years in the business. On both stage and screen, Sam has experienced all facets of stage production and has worked in more than a dozen Queensland venues.

In 1999 Sam produced a modern interpretation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic, Jesus Christ Superstar, in a Warehouse in Warana, which at the time broke all records for attendance at a Sunshine Coast production.

Shout! The Legend of the Wild One in 2008, clearly marked Sam as a director with the potential to produce exciting creative works. In close collaboration with The Events Centre, Caloundra, Sam re-cast, re-structured and re-directed this successful major musical production in just 8 weeks. In 2010, Sam co-produced and directed his original take on Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde and re-developed it further, as Erotique, for inclusion in the Sydney Fringe Festival. Sam is about to venture into the third creative development phase for Erotique, in preparation for its 2012 season. In 2011 Sam directed David Williamson’s Influence and conceptualised an original play So? Where Is It? written by Simon Denver, which has been seen this year at the Sunshine Coast Drama Festival and at the Queensland Short + Sweet Festival, where it won the overall Short + sweet Award for Best Play. So? Where Is It? will be seen next in Sydney in 2012.

Sam is the President of the Sunshine Coast Theatre Alliance, which is “Raising Standards” and Co-Director of XS Entertainment, which aims to establish a functional network of Sunshine Coast artists and produce original theatrical productions in unconventional spaces, utilising new media and local resources.